Dazzling display by sports stars at awards night

The Dacorum Sports Awards winners. Picture (c) Adam Hollier

Run by Sportspace, in partnership with the Gazette, the evening was hosted by national sports writer Mick Dennis.

Mick applauded the efforts of all those who give up their time selflessly so that others can enjoy sport, as well as the individuals and teams who dedicate their time to train hard in their chosen disciplines.

The awards were presented by Hemel Hempstead MP Mike Penning to the real stars of the evening; the successful award winners.

Nominations were received from all areas within Dacorum and from a multitude of different sports that included athletics, tennis, football, horse riding and netball, to name just a few.

Awards were presented in nine categories:

Sports Person of the Year was awarded to James Prowse, for his canoeing exploits.

The Maureen Flint Rising Star Award was won by  Matthew Riley from Dacorum Diving Club.

Club of the Year was won by Dacorum and Tring Athletics Club.

Contribution to Disability Sport was awarded to Berkhamsted Bowls Club.

Team of the Year was won by the Berkhamsted U19 squash team.

Community Coach of the Year was awarded to Andy Jackson, who coaches javelin at Dacorum & Tring AC.

Junior Community Coach (U21) was awarded to Hemel Hempstead Town Youth Fc coach Katrina Caraska.

Volunteer of the Year was won by Steve Elms for his involvement in tennis and squash at BLTSRC.

The Dacorum Sports Network Lifetime Achievement award was won by Hemel Stags chairman Bob Brown.

Special awards were also presented to double Olympic medal winning gymnast Max Whitlock for Outstanding Achievement, and Kath Worrell, who sadly passed away last year.

Kath was honoured for Outstanding Commitment to Sport in Dacorum after years of dedication to netball in the borough.

Dacorum Sports Trust head of sports development Amanda Colwill said: “The event was a glittering success, held for the first time at little Hay Golf Complex.

“It was a wonderful evening to celebrate the sporting achievements of local individuals, teams and coaches.”

>> For more picture from the night, be sure to pick up a copy of this week’s Gazette, out tomorrow.